Some of you might be aware that on Sunday I was meant to be running the Bournemouth Half Marathon. Here’s the thing: I didn’t.
After all the problems with my foot over the last two weeks, I made the decision on Sunday morning that running another half marathon on metatarsal damage was just going to leave me in a worse off state than I was already in, and with exciting races planned for next year and training to be done over the autumn/winter period, it just wasn’t worth the risk.
In any aspect of healthy living, its really important to not only understand your body and its needs, but to actually listen to them. This can be anything from knowing when you need to take a break from your workout routine to knowing when you’re starting to feel a little dehydrated, and this comes from developing a sense of mindfullness, and a closer relationship with your body. You might think I’m talking crazy. Its your body, you can’t get any closer right? Well you can be sceptical if you like – I used to be! – but actually its one thing to understand that you’re feeling hungry, but another thing to think about what your body actually craves. For example, I have hungry moments where I can eat as much junk as I can get my hands on, but still not feel satisfied, and these are the times that actually what I really need is a load of veggies. I’ve gone off topic a little, but my point is that the body has fascinating little ways that it communicates with you, without you even realising, and what your body needs is what you need.
For this reason, I’ll be taking this month off running, and relaxing a little with my gym training. While my foot does seem to be improving slowly, the last thing I need is to push myself too much and cause any long lasting damaging that might ruin my training for next year. And d’you know what? That’s ok.
A few months ago, if I skipped a gym day I’d be feeling horrendously guilty and worry, as if my whole body was going to explode just cos I’d missed a workout in favour of a lie in, but recently I’ve discovered that sometimes I’m better off for a bit of rest, maybe a treat day, and often I’ll go back to the gym feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next workout instead. I think the point I’m trying to make is that no one can tell you what your body needs, only you can truly understand that, and there’s nothing wrong with putting your body’s needs first.
I 100% recommend Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson (pictured), its such an interesting read on this subject!
Lottie Does 